Understanding Obamacare: How to Avoid Insurance Scams

Question: Do I need to be worried about my personal information under Obamacare?

Answer: You should always be careful when it comes to personal information, and
buying health coverage is no different. While it has never been easier to
access private health insurance that can never be taken away from you, we
suggest that you do the following to prevent problems.

Never give your
money or your information to anyone who contacts you. This is especially true if
anyone says that they will enroll you in healthcare.gov for a charge. The
people who offer legitimate help with the Health Marketplace—sometimes called
Navigators or Assisters—are not allowed to charge you. Health insurance agents
can enroll you, but they are paid by the insurer, not the consumer. And while
brokers sometimes charge for their services, they most likely won’t be
soliciting you out of the blue.

The Better Business
Bureau (BBB) cautions against listening to any entity that suggests you need a
new insurance card or Medicare card because of the Affordable Care Act.
Especially if they ask for any for any personal information first, no matter
how benign.

Another scam to
avoid: medical discount plans offering discounts on health services and products.
If they contact you and say they meet the minimum coverage required under
“Obamacare” so you won’t have to pay a penalty or look at other plans, beware.
Medical discount plans are not health insurance.

If you suspect a
scam, call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or go to ftc.gov/complaint. Your
reports give the Federal Trade Commission the power to shut scammers down.

The Affordable Care
Act expands freedom to millions of Americans to access quality affordable
coverage. But just like any major purchase, it is important to be vigilant
about your personal information.

—Kevin Kane, lead organizer, Citizen Action of
Wisconsin

The Shepherd Express
and Citizen Action of Wisconsin will
answer questions about the Affordable Care Act during its implementation. Got a
question? Email editor@shepex.com.

Poll

A Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission panel upheld the firing of former Milwaukee Police officer Christopher Manney for violating department rules last April when he encountered Dontre Hamilton before fatally shooting him. Do you agree with the commission’s decision?